Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-share Sign-up: July 14 – August 22

Farmers and landowners may receive financial assistance for planting a winter cover crop under the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practice (BMP) Cost-share Program administered by the Eastern Shore Soil and Water Conservation District (Eastern Shore SWCD).

New Requirement for Upcoming Program Year: 

• Sign-Up by appointment ONLY! Get your time slot reserved first come first serve!

Cost-share offered is an incentive to offset a portion of the establishment costs. Sign-up will be taken starting July 14th and will end on August 22nd. Contact Carmie Ross, District Manager, 757-302-4431 ([email protected]), Ben Young, Conservation Specialist, 757-302-4437 ([email protected]), or Lucy Earl, Conservation Specialist, 757-302-4421 ([email protected]) to schedule an appointment. 

The Eastern Shore SWCD strongly supports the planting of cover crops as one of the leading BMPs to help reduce the leaching of nutrients into groundwater and in helping to meet Chesapeake Bay WIP goals. Several different programs for fall cover crops are offered including small grain cover crops, harvestable cover crops, legume cover, as well as a cover crop for specialty crops and vegetables. Planting dates and cost-share rates vary by practice. Current Nutrient Management Plans, written by a certified VA Nutrient Management Planner, are required prior to receiving cost-share for any approved BMP. Cost-share is available for the writing and/or revision of nutrient management plans- sign up for those acres may be taken during this sign-up period.

As set forth by the VA Code 58.1-339.3 and 58.1-439.5, VA law currently provides a tax credit for implementation of certain BMP practices.  For those practices that are unfunded yet still planted to DCR’s specifications, VA Tax Credits may be an option.  If interested in VA tax credits, sign-up will be taken for those during this sign-up period as well.

For more information about the BMPs mentioned above or other District programs offered check out the District website at www.esswcd.org.